Several homes were evacuated in two towns in Northern Ireland in the third and fourth security alerts in less than 24 hours in the region.

Residents were advised to leave a number of properties in separate incidents in Lisburn, Co Antrim and Lurgan, Co Armagh on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, pipe bombs were left outside homes in Armagh and Rasharkin, Co Armagh.

In Lisburn, what police called a “crude device” was left in the Rathvarna Drive area on Wednesday afternoon.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokesman said army bomb experts were sent to the scene.

Residents who were evacuated from their homes were able to return on Wednesday evening.

I’ve spoken with the individual targeted by a crude device in Ballymacash Drive and offered my support in the days ahead. Those responsible have nothing to offer society and after meeting people in the Community Centre it will only strengthen the resolve of the local community.

In Rasharkin, a number of residents of Moneyleck Park were evacuated from their homes at 10pm.

A pipe bomb had been set on the windowsill outside a house and a second bomb was thrown through a front window, police said.

The incident was condemned by local MLAs from the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein.

Democratic Unionist MLA Mervyn Storey said: “This is a very concerning incident and caused disruption to people living in the area. Anyone involved in placing such a device clearly has no regard for life.

“I would appeal for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact the police and assist them in bringing those responsible to justice.”

Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan said those responsible have shown a “complete disregard for the local area”.

“I’m relieved that no-one has been hurt and these lethal weapons have now been taken off the streets,” he said.

“I would urge anyone with information to bring it forward to the PSNI.”